The upgraded rating comes courtesy of success in new side pole impact testing, with improved knee protection and seat belt reminders figuring among the Hilux's upgrades.

News of the upgraded score will be of interest not only to private buyers, but also to fleet buyers, with many - including mining giant BHP Billiton - now requiring a 5-Star rating.

"This is an excellent case study of a very strong shift in the light commercial vehicle market driven by safety. There is no longer any excuse for fleet buyers when it comes to safety - they should accept nothing less than 5 star safety," ANCAP Chairman Lauchlan McIntosh said.

For now, ANCAP's upgraded score applies only to single- and extra-cab 4x4 Hilux models, although upgrades are due soon for dual-cab models.

The new safety rating applies to relevant models built from August 2013.

No change has been made to the 4x2 models however, which leaves their safety rating at the earlier 4-Star level.

TMR Comments

OutbackOZ | 23 Sep 2013 08:14

That would have hurt Toyota, they actually had to spend money on R&D......

Doctor OutbackOZ | 23 Sep 2013 23:35

Yeah, that's contrary to its policy of "Why do things by halves when you can get away with doing them by quarters"!

CAZZO | 23 Sep 2013 21:20

Need a new model ASAP [even though its the best seller] well short of safety and features v the others on sale

Undercover CAZZO | 24 Sep 2013 01:50

Just because its "the best seller" does not make it the best vehicle on the market.
Kinda like Commodore vs Falcon, or in your case Cazzo, Japan vs Korea.
Brand snobs, sheep fowlers or just people like what they like regardless if it is the best vehicle out there or not.